Writing-bed for desks.



R. l. GIBBONS.

1,21 1,433, Patented Jan. 9,1917.

narran 'srarns earner ernten.

RICHARD J'. GIBBONS, AOF FORT ROSECRANS, CALIFORNIA.

WRITING-BED FOR DESKS.l

Application led October 22, 1915.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that L'Rrormnn J. GIBBoNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Rosecrans, in the county of San Diego and State of California, have invented a new and useful Desk-Pocket improvement for l/Vriting-Beds for Desks.

The invention relates to desks and more particularly to the class of Vwriting' beds for desks.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a writing bed for desks wherein the construction thereof permits the storage and safekeeping of important papers, such as memorandums, time-tables, sailing orders, notes, cards, clippings, orders, briefs, letters and the like, which may be visible at all times through the writing bed and readily accessible.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a writing bed of this character wherein the upper surface thereof constitutes a writing face, the body being swingingly connected to the rear edge of the countersink in the top of the desk and of a shape corresponding to the shape of the countersink so as to be snugly fitted in the countersink to serve as a cover therefor, the countersink incidentally constituting a pocket for the reception of papers, documents or the like.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a writing bed of this character which is extremely simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efhcient in its purpose, assuring the safekeeping of papers,

documents or the like in convenient reach of the user of the desk and also inexpensive in manufacture.

With this and other objects in view the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement f parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended. v

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a desk showing' the writing bed constructed'in accordance with the invention forming a part thereof. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical transverse sectional View through the top of the desk and writing bed. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the writing bed partly raised.

.Similar reference characters indicate cor- Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 191%. serial No. 57,301.

responding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawing in detatil, A. designates generally the body of a desk, which in this instance is of the flat top type, although lthe same may be of any other style or type, and has fitted in its front side drawers B which are slidably supported within said body in any suitable manner, the body being formed with a solid fiat top C which may be of any desired thickness, width and length.

Formed centrally of the body A and opening through the front thereof is the usual leg space or recess D for the convenience of the user of the desk. Frovided in the upper face of the top C centrally thereof and opening through the upper face and also through the front edge of said top is a countersink 5 which is preferably of rectangular shape and extends in depth only partially through the top so 'as to form a pocket 6 in said top for receiving papers, documents or the like.

Swingingly connected to the rear edge of the countersink 5 is a frame 7 which is of c similar size and shape than the countersink 5 and adapted to be received therein when said frame 7 is lowered into the same. The frame 7 is of a thickness corresponding to the depth of the countersink 5 so that when lowered into the same its upper surface will be flush with the upper surface of the top C and this frame at the inner marginal edge is provided with a groove 8 which is formed by rabbeting the sides, front and rear rails of said frame to .receive a transparent panel 9, preferably glass, although the same can be made from any other suitable rigid transparent material, the panel 9 being cemented or otherwise permanently fastened within the frame 7 so that its top surface lies flush or in the same plane with the surface of the frame and the top of the desk when the writing bed is in normal position seated within the countersink 5 in said top of the desk.

The frame 7 is swingingly connected to the top C through the medium of hinges 10 age therein of pnpers,\documents or the like or the removal thereof from the same.

Carried in the frame 7 at the front thereof is a suitable key operated lock 1l which engages in a keeper l2 mounted in the base of the countersink 5, and in this manner the Writing bed can he locked in its closed or lowered position and on the storage of papers, documents or the like Within the countersink 5 the said papers, documents or the like Will be readily visible through the panel 9 While the latter constitutes a Writing surface in the use of the desk.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, manner of use and the advantages of the invention Will he Clearly understood and therefore a more extended explanation has been omitted.

What I claim as new is:

ln a desk having a solid top provided With a countersink opening through the upper face and the front edge thereof to form a pocket, an open frame shaped correspondingly tothe countersink and received therein, hinges countersunk Within the top and frame for swingingly connecting said frame to the top, and a transparent panel fitted Within the open frame to have its upper surface Hush with the upper surface of said frame, said frame when Within the countersink having its upper surface flush with the upper surface of the top, and means carried by the frame in engagement with the bottom of the countersink for lockimg` said frame therein.

RICHARD J. GIBBONS.

,lWitnesses BAUDE M. GIBBoNs, ADA V. BINGAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 1). C. 

